Monday, April 18, 2022
The Studio Alchemy Podcast Episode 87 Transformational Dreaming with Teresa Vazquez
Thursday, April 14, 2022
The Studio Alchemy Podcast Episode 86 The Alchemy of Yoga
Today’s episode of the Studio Alchemy Podcast features a discussion about how yoga can transform your body and mind. Hirschten has studied yoga for over 25 years and is a certified yoga instructor.
On the Studio Alchemy Podcast we explore creative ways to transform our lives using visualization, art making, and new age self-help techniques. Each episode includes stories and reflections to inspire you to transform your life. Hosted by Addie Hirschten, a.k.a. Vita, a contemporary impressionist painter, art teacher, author, and public speaker. Find out more at https://studioalchemy.art/. Take online creativity classes at: https://the-alchemy-of-painting.teachable.com/courses
Read or listen to the book, “Start Selling Your Art: A Guide to Starting an Art Business” on Amazon and Audible.
Tuesday, April 12, 2022
Art Inspiration: The Face of Our Ancestors
"The ancestors have called us here. We belong to their lifeline."
-John O'Donohue
I've been thinking a lot about ancestors. I can feel the care that they took to raise every family member that came before me. I am curious about what they believed and how they lived.
"Each home hosts the arrival of history. It is the cradle of one's future."
-John O'Donohue
Veronica's family business (RGR Painting LLC) helped to paint my home studio. In return I painted a portrait of her beloved grandmother.
Meanwhile I am becoming more curious about my own ancestors, the Celtic and Pictish ones who built stone circles and left mysterious carvings like this...
I'm sure that most of their artwork is gone. Things like wreaths don't hold up over the years.
But their influence over me continues. Each new generation is pushed forward with the love of the last one.
"May you know the eternal longing that is at the heart of time.
May you listen to your longing to be free."
-John O'Donohue
Many of today's illustrations are from my upcoming book on SYMBOLISM!
Stay tuned for the more juicy symbols and art philosophy as I swim through this material.
Would someone you love be inspired by this message? Feel free to share
Saturday, April 2, 2022
The Studio Alchemy Podcast Episode 85 Transformation with Big Magic
Today’s episode of the Studio Alchemy Podcast features thoughts on transforming our lives with fresh creative projects and a more honest, open discussion of sacred spirituality.
On the Studio Alchemy Podcast we explore creative ways to transform our lives using visualization, art making, and new age self-help techniques. Each episode includes stories and reflections to inspire you to transform your life. Hosted by Addie Hirschten, a.k.a. Vita, a contemporary impressionist painter, art teacher, author, and public speaker. Find out more at https://studioalchemy.art/. Take online creativity classes at: https://the-alchemy-of-painting.teachable.com/courses
Read or listen to the book, “Start Selling Your Art: A Guide to Starting an Art Business” on Amazon and Audible.
Thursday, March 24, 2022
Alchemy of Art Podcast Episode 84 Interview with Mixed Media Painter Lisa Cyr
Today’s episode of the Alchemy of Art podcast features an interview with the mixed media painter, author and teacher, Lisa Cyr. Find out more about her work at: https://www.cyrstudio.com/
On the Alchemy of Art podcast we chat about the creative process and philosophy. Each episode includes stories, dreams and reflections to inspire you and keep you going. Find out more at https://studioalchemy.art/
Friday, March 18, 2022
💗 Art Inspiration: Choosing Peace 💗
Hello My Fellow Art Lovers-
"If we have no peace it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other."
-Mother Teresa
What does peace mean to you? My daughter made this statement a few years ago...
Peace to me is about allowing myself to feel happiness. It is about letting go of worrying about things I have no control over.
My young friend, Freya, chose the peace symbol to be at the center of her hand print on our table at Studio Alchemy.
The peace symbol was created by a nuclear disarmament group in the fifties. It represents the anti-war movement. Other symbols of peace have included the olive branch and the dove.
I have felt a greater sense of peace since I decided to take a break from social media. It was causing me to feel constantly itchy.... a feeling that I was missing out if I wasn't looking at it.
My daughter called this FOMO, Fear of Missing Out.
I realized that no matter what I decide to do I will miss out on the other possibilities. Peace is accepting that you will miss out then embracing the decisions that you have made. Peace is a choice.
Each night we say what we are thankful for at dinner. This ritual helps me feel peace. I am thankful for clean air and water. I am thankful for the bounty of the garden.
I imagine that my cup is full and that the basket is over flowing.
And SOMETIMES peace is being able to laugh at something that is silly.
"Let us not use bombs and guns to overcome the world. Let us use love and compassion. Peace begins with a smile-smile five times a day at someone you don't really want to smile at- do it for peace. So let us radiate peace...and extinguish in the world and in the hearts of all men all hatred and love for power."
-Mother Teresa
Want join me for classes? I just added more classes and workshops to our spring schedule!
Many of today's illustrations are from my upcoming book on SYMBOLISM!
Stay tuned for the more juicy symbols and art philosophy as I swim through this material.
Would someone you love be inspired by this message? Feel free to share
Tuesday, March 8, 2022
Alchemy of Art Podcast Episode 83 Flowers for the Ukraine and Symbolism
Today’s episode of the Alchemy of Art podcast features a chat about how people around the world are using the symbol of the sunflower to support Ukrainians and the important role symbols have in our lives.
On the Alchemy of Art podcast we chat about the creative process and philosophy. Each episode includes stories, dreams and reflections to inspire you and keep you going. Hosted by Vita, a contemporary impressionist painter, art teacher, author and public speaker. Find out more at https://studioalchemy.art/. Take online creativity classes at: https://the-alchemy-of-painting.teachable.com/courses
Read or listen to the book, “Start Selling Your Art: A Guide to Starting an Art Business” on Amazon and Audible.
Monday, March 7, 2022
💗 Art Inspiration: Flower Power in Ukraine 💗
Did you know that the sunflower is the national flower of the Ukraine?
People around the world have been wearing sunflowers to show support for the country.
Flower crowns are a traditional Ukrainian headdress. Women have been wearing them in protest.
This is Flower Power at its best! 
It reminds me of the photo "Flower Power" by Bernie Boston.
At a protest against the Vietnam War in 1967 George Harris placed flowers in the barrel of guns. Years later a friend of mine met George Harris and talked to him about the experience.
This is a photo of one of my favorite artists, Ashley Bryan. He just passed away a few weeks ago and the world has lost a bright soul. Now is the time to grow and paint more flowers in his honor. Let them be vibrant!
Read Bryan's autobiography. It is soooooo good and uplifting. In it he said...
"I never gave up. Many were more gifted and talented than I but they gave up. You've got to stand up for what you love." -Ashley Bryan
When tragedy strikes so far away it makes me feel helpless. What can we do? How can we stand up for what we love?
You can consider donating or volunteering for the non-profit organization, Exodus Refugee. A few years ago I donated this painting to them for a fundraiser...
This painting is about how a group of people can be like a flock of birds. When they are disrupted they scatter but they always come back together again.
Even if you can't afford to give to a charity you can always do something to make the world a better place.
"Success is...
to laugh often and much
to appreciate beauty
to find the best in others
to leave the world a bit better
to know that even one life has breathed easier because you lived."
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
We can do small things. Many small things add up. There is power in helping your neighbor and in planting just one flower. There is power in choosing peace, even with your inner thoughts.
When the fabled alchemist, Hermes, wrote, "as above, so below," he meant that our inner spiritual world is reflected in our outer world, our actions. If we are to keep to the light we must be peaceful in our thoughts AND our actions.
We've got to stand up for what we love, life on this beautiful planet, our families and ourselves, just one good deed at a time.
Many of today's illustrations are from my upcoming book on SYMBOLISM!
Stay tuned for the more juicy symbols and art philosophy as I swim through this material.
Want join me for classes? I just added more classes and workshops to our spring schedule.
Would someone you love be inspired by this message? Feel free to share
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